PLO Executive Committee member Jamil Shehada told Ma'an that Israel rejected Barghouti's application for a permit to enter Gaza, where he intends to travel as a member of a delegation to discuss national reconciliation.

The groups have made failed attempts at national reconciliation for years, most recently in 2012, when they signed two agreements -- one in Cairo and a subsequent one in Doha -- which have as of yet been entirely unimplemented.